Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
YOUNG CATHOLICS – In the first reading Moses explains that we must give our best offering to the Lord. The psalm sings of deliverance from trouble. In the second reading Paul tells us we must follow Jesus not just with our minds, but also with our hearts. In the gospel Jesus is tempted by the devil in the desert but resists, putting his trust in his Father instead.
THEMES:
Lent is a time of prayerful reflection. Discuss with your family a time during the week or day that all radios, stereos, televisions, computers, and telephones will be shut off so family members can pray…At the end of his forty days in the desert, Jesus was tempted. Beyond the temptations of the bread of the earth, the power of the nations, and the popularity of the Temple faithful, Jesus was tempted with a question of priorities. Who was the most important person in his life?
Lent is a time to ask the same question. Who is ‘number one?’ In the first reading, Moses commanded the people to gather the best of what they had, place those items in a basket, and present it to God in worship. When we give the best to God, we are not as tempted to keep those things for ourselves.
Create such a basket for your family. Have family members gather items that represent the best they have. (Be creative with these items. Think beyond material items. Also, think in terms of talents and time.) Put a sign on the basket that says “The Best We Give To God.” Put the basket in a place your family will see throughout Lent. Use the basket as a focal point for prayer. Let the basket remind your family what Lent is all about: who is ‘Number One!’
Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1-11
Suggested Emphasis: Temptation comes from Satan as he tries to get us to do wrong. Stand strong in the Word of God.
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Free Sunday School Curriculum – New Testament Lessons | Old Testament Lessons
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Catechist Background and Preparation
Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High School
Divine Election
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
By Dr. Carol J Miller
Objects suggested: A cactus or picture of a cactus.
EXCERPT: A cactus is one of the most interesting plants in our world. The first thing you probably notice about a cactus is its sharp spines. The spines protect the cactus from animals that might want to eat it, but the spines also serve another purpose. At night the spines collect dew and that dew helps supply water to the plant. The cactus also gets water from its roots.
Cacti grow in the desert where it is very dry. They are able to grow there because their stems store water. If you were to cut a cactus open you would find a thick slimy substance inside. (Demonstrate this if you have a suitable plant.) The stem of a cactus is mostly water and this allows it to survive through the dry desert seasons.
We can learn more about our Christian faith by comparing a cactus to something Jesus said. He had been in the wilderness for forty days and he ate nothing during that time. He was very hungry and the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread” (4:3).
Do you ever hear words spoken to you that sound like the devil is trying to get you to do things his way, a bad way? Ask them to give examples.
For this sharing and for the next one have a piece of newsprint ready with the universal symbol for “not allowed” drawn on it (large circle drawn with a diagonal slash crossing through it). As they give their examples, write them in the circle so it will become a symbol of the kind of messages that are not from God. Do you ever talk bad to yourself? Do you ever tell yourself you aren’t enough—good enough, smart enough, fast enough.
Do you ever NOT do something good because you tell yourself you won’t do it right or be the best? Let them share examples if they are willing.
Then remind them that those kinds of words that they use against themselves are not God’s words to them. When God speaks in our hearts, it sounds like the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism: “You are my beloved son/daughter. I am really happy with you.” When we talk like that to ourselves and others, we let God encourage us just like God encouraged Jesus.
Objects suggested: A bowl of candy
EXCERPT: There was a bowl of candy like this one sitting on the coffee table in the living room of Mary’s house. Mary’s mother noticed that she was looking at the candy and said, “Now, don’t you eat any candy until after dinner or you will spoil your appetite.” The candy looked so good and the temptation was so great. “Surely just one little piece won’t hurt — and mother will never know the difference,” Mary thought to herself.
Have any of you ever had an experience like that? Here is another story which might sound familiar.
“Put away your books and take out one sheet of paper and a pencil,” the teacher said. “We are going to take our weekly spelling test.” Johnny had an empty feeling in the pit of his stomach. He knew that they were going to have a spelling test today, but he watched TV last night instead of studying for the spelling test and he wasn’t ready for the test. As the test began, Johnny looked around the room and realized that he had a clear view of Sally’s paper. “It won’t hurt if I look at Sally’s paper just this once,” Johnny thought to himself. “I promise — I’ll never do it again and nobody will ever know.”
› Crossword › Multiple Choice › Word Search › Word Shape › Coloring Page › Worship Bulletin. › Group Activities
By Dr. Carol J Miller
Objects suggested: None
EXCERPT: Does anyone know what it means to be “tempted”? [Thank each child for his/her answer].
Yes, tempted means to think about doing something that might not be right or good. If a class is having a spelling test, let’s say, and one of the children did not study the words and isn’t sure how to spell them, what might that child be tempted to do? [Accept all answers].
Have you ever been tempted? Sure, everyone has been tempted. I have been, many times. Let’s see how many in the congregation have been tempted [Ask for a show of hands].
There’s nothing wrong with being tempted. It’s only wrong when you choose to do the wrong thing. If we asked people to raise their hands again, we would see that all of us have done wrong things, probably many times.
Well, in today’s Scripture, the Holy Spirit––that’s another name for God––has sent Jesus out into the desert to think. Jesus needs to think about what he is going to do. He knows that he is special. He knows he has great power. But if he is loyal to God and tells people the truth, some people––some very important people––will be very angry with Jesus.
Objects suggested: You’ll need two rubber bands (aka elastic bands). Preferably, you’ll want the larger post-
office type rubber bands for a better visual, but since you’ll be stretching one until it breaks, you don’t want it to be too big/strong because then it’ll sting even more when it snaps.
Lesson is divided into FOUR PARTS: Ask, Tell, Share the Good News, and Closing Prayer
FIRST READING
SECOND READING
GOSPEL
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
by Chris Haughton
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
CAROLYN C. BROWN – “The Nonsense Show” is one of those books that need not be read in its entirety. Instead, look at the cover with a chicken hatching out of a banana peel or the illustration of a rabbit pulling a man from a magician’s top hat on the first page and ask why the words say it is a nonsense show. Then look at several other nonsense drawings, e.g. a bird in an aquarium, a fish in a birdcage, and (my favorite) a big yellow cat with one half covered in leopard spots and the other in tiger stripes. Though the book jacket says it is an introduction to surreal art, it can be used this Sunday to point out the nonsense of trying to be what you are not.
Opening Question: What does to mean to do your best? Who expects the best from you? Why?
In the story for the first reading, Dennis worked hard over a surprise test. He did his best, as God calls us to do.
Bridge Question: What or who helps you make good choices? How do you know when you made the right choice?
In the story for the gospel, three children faced a hard choices over sports, friends and parents. Which one to choose? All three chose love over self interest, just like Jesus did in the desert.
Closing Question: Have you ever chosen for others’ good? What happened?
The Jerusalem Bible is used for Mass in majority of English-speaking world outside U.S./ Canada.
The New Revised Common Lectionary (Catholic Edition) is used in Canada.
These links are provided for other faiths who do NOT use the Catholic lectionary, but rather use the Revised Common Lectionary.
Lessons are prepared by Kristin Schmidt, who serves at the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO.
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